Directional valve for automatic water softeners or conditioners



R. E. SCHULZE ETAL DIRECTIONAL VALVE FOR AUTCMATIC WATER SOFTENERS OR CONDITIONERS Nov. 14, 1961 Filed Dec. l?, 1956 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 NOV- 14 1961 R. E. scHuLzE ETAL 3,008,486

DIRECTIONAL VALVE FOR'AUTOMATIC WATER soFTENERs oa coNDrnoNERs Filed Dec. 1v, 195s s sheets-sheet 2 @rae 5.

Nov. 14, 1961 R. E. scHuLzE ETAL 3,008,486 DIRECTIONAL VALVE FOR AUTQMATIC WATER soFTENERs 0R CONDITIONERS Filed Dec. 17, 1956 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 United States Patent s s 486 nIREcTIoNAL vALv rR AUTOMATIC WATER soFTENERs 0R coNnlTIoNERs Roberta. Schulze, Deerfield, and Edmund J. Henstedt,

Glenview, Ill., and Robert J. Jauch and ChristianLW. Kruckeberg, Fort Wayne, Ind., assignors to Culligan, Inc., Northbrook, Ill., a corporation of Delaware Filed Dec. 17, 1956,-Ser.,No. 628,585 12 Claims. (Cl. 137-5991) The present invention relates to a novel directional valve and operating mechanism Afor controlling the operation of Water conditioning equipment and lters and more particularly forthe automatic regeneration or rejuvenation and cleansing of the bed of minerals or materials for conditioningorlfltering 'the water without re-` quiring ,attentionby the home owner or an operator.

In the preferred operation of the novel valve assembly for ,controlling the operation of a water softener in the home, ow'of Athe untreated water to be softened or conditioned is directed through the'valve, through. the bed of treating or ion exchange materials, after which the.

treated Awater flows out ofthe water softener and again through the valve to the service line. in the home for use. materials is initiated at suitable ltime intervals by a time clock, whereupon the valve mechanism is shifted hydrau- Regeneration of `the'bed ofminerals or treating C of, the solenoid type. This problem iseifectively solvedk in the present novel valve assembly.

lically so 4that the untreated water is directed through"V a by-passvto the house` service line to supply the home. with water whileregeneration is being effected, and such untreated water vis also directed through an eductor for drawing brine from abrine tank,r the valve. assembly thenf directing this `b-rine to the normal outlet 'ofthe water softener in va direction of ilow that is the reverse from that during normal service operation. vThe brine entering the water softener is directed through the bed of minerals and out the normal,l inlet of the water softener, through the valve assembly 'and then to waste. v v

The hydraulic shifting `of the valve mechanism is caused by 'a differential in pressure resulting from .the opening of ya pilot solenoid valve. At the conclusion of the brin-S ing period, an 'accessory brine valve as described in the` copending application of Robert E. Schulze, Serial No.

552,845, filed December 1,3, `195,5, now Patent No. 2,863,- 559, closes and stops the brine flow and the bed of minerals is rinsed with Water that'owsthrough the eductor 3,0U8,486 Patented Nov, 14, 1961 treated water in the service lines and thereby reducing The present invention further comprehends the use ofa solenoid valvein such mannerthat such valve does notLhandle any of the waste rinse Water or brine, but merely'relieves the pressure from the rear of the diaphragrnvalves. It is common knowledge in the water conditioning industry that corrosion occurs where there aredissimilar metals and Wherever materials used are not corrosion resistant. Salt brine solutions vemployed in n regeneration aggravate this corrosion situation. Also it is a known fact that lthe magnetic properties required for operation of a solenoid valve necessitate the use of metals that are not highly corrosion resistant so that it is important to keep salt brine solutions from contacting valves While the present invention discloses the use of a solenoid valve as a pilot valve to control thev flow to drain, itfalso comprehends ,the1use of a 3way solenoid valve lcapable of completely shutting off the pilot water so that none need be wasted. Furthermore,'the pilot solephragm valve, covers.

noid valve is preferably embodied'in one-ofthe dia- `Another important'feature of the present invention is that it employs internal ports in the valvepassembly for 'relieving the pressure operating the diaphragms and thereby substantially reduces the cost over valves that require the'use of external release tubing or conduits.

lA further object of thev present invention is the provision of a low maintenance valve construction through the employmentoof awshort stroke diaphragm action, the

and follows ythe same path of flow as the-brine solutionA didthrou'gh the tank' and bed of mineralsaud out of the.

water softener or conditioner to waste. Y

,Atthe end of this rinse period, the the.` clock or timertherr causes the pilot solenoid to close and thev valve mechanism then .shifts toagaiu direct untreated waterto the softenerlor conditioner tank and the treated or softened water to the service linein the home.

It is, therefore, an important' object of the present invention to provide a novel automatic valve construction for home water softeners orY conditioners employing brine tanks as the source of the regenerant and where the valve mechanism is actuated by a, timer, Vsuch valve mechanism being hydraulically operated.

Another importanty object of the present invention is to Aprovide anovel valve assemblyV having a by-pass that functions automatically during regeneration whereby the water owis uninterrupted ,during the period of regen-V eration. Y

A further object of the present'invention visto provide a novel valve assembly having-multiple diaphragm valves that are hydraulically-actuated to assure positive closure" of these valves. yOne of the major `problems with automatic valves is that their closure has not been suciently positive to `prevent leakage of untreated water into the provision of ylarge, and'vertically arranged ports that prevent the accumulation Vof solid'maltter, the use of cor-y rosion resistant materials and of interchangeable parts.

The `present invention further comprehends a novel valve assembly capable of effectively operating over a broad range of water pressures. ForV example, the diaphragm action of the disclosed assembly will function atpressures as low as 2 p.s.i. and as high as 200rp,s.i. A pressure-sensitiveflow restrictor in the pilot solenoid .line controls the pilot water over the entire pressure range.

, g thereby prevents a reactance water hammer.

AAnothe'rlnovel feature of the present invention is the provision of a novel removable eductor nozzle capable ofbeing replaced or interchanged in the eductor housing by' another in a different pressu-re range and thereby 4as- `sure most efficient operation with different pressure ranges of Water. YTo filter or strain thefwater required at the eductorgthe present invention comprehends ythe provision in the valvebody ofv a strainer of large area v through which water entering the eductor is directed.

Another object of Vt-he present invention is the provision of a valve which will shift from normal service position Yto regeneration position even though' aY substantial draw is being made in the service or house lines. Y

, A further feature of the present valve assembly is that g high pressures accidentally developed 'inhouse lines may befreadily relievedback through the valve to the untreated water supply lines. A still further feature is the 'provision of an inlet diaphragm that functions lWith a slow action in closing an Another novel feature of the present invention is'the provision of a check valve formed as part of the flange gasket of the eductor hous-ing.

Further objects are to provide. a construction of maxif mum simplicity, eiciency, `economy and ease of assembly water conditioning system in which is embodied the presl ent novel directional valve assemblyV for the automatic operation of the service and regeneration cycles.

FIG. 2 is another perspective View of the valve assembly and the upper end of a Water conditioning tank, the tank and valve assembly having been rotated through substantially. 180 from the position shown in FIG. l.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view in horizontal cross section taken approximately in a medial plane of the valve assembly.

lFIG. 4 is a schematic view of Ithe valve assembly of FIG. 3 but with all the openings or passages and diaphragms of the valve assembly arranged in a single plane for ease in disclosing and describing its operation and the path of Water fiow.

v FIG. 5 is a fragmentary schematic view of an alternate `arrangement of the pilot tubing and embodying a 3-way solenoid for completely eliminating waste of Water from this pilot tubing when thevalve assembly is in posi- Y tion for regeneration.

Referring more particularly to the disclosure in the drawings inwhich there is shown an illustrative embodiment of the present invention in directional valves for automatic water conditioning equipment, the tank is shown as containing a relatively deep bed of minerals 11 extending to the desired depth and beneath this bed in the bottom of the tank there is provided a gravel or filter bed 12.

The minerals of the bed 11 may be ion exchange materials of the resinous exchange or siliceous type which during Water softening, conditioning or ion exchange operations tend to become inactivated by ion exchange result-ing in a reduction in the quality of the discharge or effluent. When they quality of the effluent reaches a point where itis no longer suitable for the purpose intended,

the minerals have reached the point of exhaustion andv require reactivatio-n or regeneration.

The tank 10 may be of the type disclosed in Culligan Patent No. 2,252,065, of August 12, 1941, and provided with suitable coupling members orfittings 13 and 14 of the type disclosed in Culligan Patent No. 2,265,268, of December 9, 1941, whereby the tank may be quickly installed, removed or replaced, when necessary. The coupling member or fitting 13 is provided withan inlettube or manifold 15 depending into the tank 10 above the mineral bed 11 and having relatively wide slots at 16. through which the untreated Water enters the tank for treatment. The coupling member or fitting -14 is provided with an outlet tube or manifold 17 depending `into the tankl and projecting downwardly through theV bed of minerals 11 and into thegravel or filter bedk 12, the lower end of the outlet tube or manifold 17 being provided with a finely slotted strainer section 18Y to permit the: passage of the treated water but to filter out the particles of gravel 'or minerals in the bed.l

'In automatic water softening orconditioning equipment of the type disclosed, it is contemplated that theV minerals be automatically rejuvenated or regenerated at frequent intervals, such as` at a predetermined period of the dayy or night when soft, treated or conditioned.l water is generally not required in the home. Consequently, the presentV invention provides for time control mechanism which automatically initiates the steps of backwashing, brining and rinsing of the materials requiring regeneration, andV automatically returning the system to service operation.

For accomplishing regeneration, the present water softening or conditioning system discloses a brine tank 19 provided with a removable cover 21 [for ready access to the` interior of the tank. This interior is preferably-- divided to provide a float chamber 22'having a fioat valve in the valve housing.l 23 in the base of the. iioat chamber,

the float valve being carried-by the lower endof 'a-float rod 24 carrying intermediate its length a ventically'nrovable float 25 for controlling the float Valve. Rubber positioners 26 on vthe float rod 24 at the opposite ends of the movable float 25 are adjustable to vary the quantity of brine` for regeneration by controlling the quantity of water delivered to the. brine tank for dissolving salt placed in the chamber 27 of the brine tankabove. a bed of gravel 28 through which the brine is filtered..

The wall 29 dividing the salt chamber 27 from the float chamber 22 is provided with an openingl at its lower end forming a passage between said chambers, with the chamber 27 beingof substantial capacity for receiving and storing a large quantity of dry, bulk salt land sterilizing agent to supply the regenerant or brine needs for a substantial period of time.

A conduit 32 in the float chamber 22 is connected at its lower end to the valve housing 23 and at its upper end is coupled at 33 to an air check valve assembly 34 in the brine line adjacent the upper end of the float chamber 22 to prevent air from ybeing drawn into the softener tank 10 Iafter the brine ceases to flow during regeneration. A brine tube 35 is coupled at one end at 36 to the check valve assembly. The above disclosure, including the details of the float valve in the float housing 23 and the check valve assembly 34, may be similar to that disclosed in the copending application of Robert E. Schulze,

Serial No. 552,845, filed December 13, 1955, now Patent No. 2,863,559. j Y

The present invention is directed more particularlyy to the directional valve assembly 37 positioned above the tank 10 -for controlling the :flow of water to and from the tank during normal or service operation, andthe water and brine to .and from the tank during regeneration of treated water and a valve outlet port 41 for the untreated l.

Water, with the entering untreated water flowing into a chamber 412-. During normal or service operation the untreated -Warter is directed through a then open inlet' valve port 43 into an annular chamber 44l and through the out'- let pont 41 connected through the inlet coupling 13` .to the inlet tube or manifold 15 of the IWater softening or conditioning tank 10.

The untreated water .passes downwardlyA through thev Ibed of minerals or conditioning material, then upwardly, through the outletv tube orV manifold 17 ofthe tank,V

through a valve inlet port 46 communicating Wit-h a passageway 47 in the valve housing 38- and connected pas` sage 48 in a valve eductor cover plate `49. 1From the passage 48,` the main iiolwof treated or conditioned Water flows through a then openpont- 51y into a-chamber 52` and then into a 'communicating annular chamber 53 leading to a valve outlet port `54 of the valve assembly which is connected tothe service linevinthe home.

When the valve assembly is inthe service positiom al diaphragm valve 55 is open, awdiaphragm valvel Sois closed `as is also a di'apliragmvalve 57 and a pilotY solenoid valve 58. This'pilot solenoidvalve; 58'isfclosed'andf Water from the chamber 42 is: adaptedito pass through;

an orifice 59 into conduit 61 which through branch conduits 62, 63 and 70 communicate with'the diaphragm valves 56 and 57 through passages in their respective covers 64 and 65. Line pressure which develops in chamber 66 in the cover `64 behind the diaphragm valve 56 and chamber 6'7 in .the cover 65 behind the diaphragm valve 57 holds these valves 56 and 57 closed.

During such normal or service operation, when a draw is placed on the plumbing system of the home, the pressure on the outlet side of lthe val-ve assembly is reduced all the way back to the passageway or chamber 52. A conduit 68 communicating with the passageway V52` and a chamber 69 in the cover71 for the diaphragm valve 55 reduces' Ithe-pressure inthe chamber 69. With line'pressure ingthe annular chamber 44 and reduced pressure in the chamber 69, fthe vdiaphragm valve 55 opens to permit untreated water to ow to the water softener or condinioner.

The present `assembly includes a conventional automatic timer within a housing 72 `for initiating the regenera-tion cycle on a predetermined timing period. When the time period 'arrives for which the .automatic timer is set, the pilot solenoid valve 58 opens to permit water to drainfrom the pilot line or tubing `611 and branch conduits 62 63 .and 70, through a conduit or" vent line 73 to waste. With the pilot line 61 and branch pilot lines 62, 63 and 70 now open to drain, both'diaphragm chambers 66 and A67 in the valve covers 64 and 6-5, respectively, are 'reduced lto atmospheric pressure and diaphragm valves 56 Aand 57 open; At the same time diaphragm valve 55 is held closed both by its spring 74 and a dilerential in pressure between chamber 69 which is now esi sentially line pressure, and the annular chamber 44 which approaches atmospheric pressure. A spring 74a springbiasesthe'valve `57 to open position. l

With the valve assembly now in position for regeneration, untreat'ed'water continues .to flow into the inlet port 39 of the vaive4 housing and into the conunuru'catingl chamber 42. However, as such 'entering w-atervcannot now pass'throUgh the inlet valve'port 43 due to the diatheport 51. However, water entering the passage 52 50 causes a check 'valve 78 to close and seal off passage throughv the port `51 and the onlyaccess to the chamber 48 in the eductor cap 'or cover 49is throughthe eductor I 77.4 Water thus passes into .the opening of a nozzle 79 and through ythe passage or throat 81 of .the eductor. The vacuum created by the eductor causes brine to ii'ow through a port S2 connected to the brine tube'35 communicating with the conduit 32 in iioat chamber Z2 of rthebrine tank 19. The salt brine from the conduitr 32 i joins `with the entering strained but untreated water in the nozzle 79 and iiows into the chamber 48-of the cductor cap, into the passage 47 and'out of the `valve assembly through -lthe .usual valve inlet-pont 46 and into 'chef-tank y1'0, with the flow lthroughV the tank now being the reverse of that during normal or service-operation.

The entering bri-ne solution Iilows downwardly through Ithe outlet Itube or manifold 17 and percolates up through the minerals or ion exchange bed '1i1 and then passes out of thetank through the usual inlet manifold 15 and into the valve outlet port. 41 of the valve housing 38. -In .its passage through the bed of minerals this brine solution regenerates the bed and releases waste calcium, vwith the waste Vsolutionfpassin'g through the valve outlet port 41, into the annular chamber 44, out of this chamber through a` 83 controlled by 'the drain diaphragm valve 57, and into anannular chamber 84 from which 'the waste water then passes through the valve assembly 37 and` 110, phragm vala/c [being closed, the entering Y' untreated -water passesv through astrainer 75 .and out through a port 76 vwith the diaphragm valve `56 )now lopen; From the valve 56.

solution passes through .a port 85 to waste drain.V The brine solution continues to follow l'the path described above until la predetermined Aquantity'has when delivered from the brine tank 19. quantity may be controlled 1 by means of the valve arrangement described in the above mentioned co-pending application of Robert E. Schulze,

Serial No. 552,845, iiled December 13. l955, now Patent4 At the end of me'brining period, au new of the brinel This rinse water follows the same path as the brine solu-f tion through the valve -assembly 37 and tank 10' At the end of the predetermined regeneration-period, the timer 72 shuts off and closes the solenoid valve 58 and the brine and rinse period is concluded whereupon the drain diaphragm valve 57 closes. At the same time, thebypass diaphragm valve 56 closes and the service diaphragm valve 55y is ready to be opened whenever there is a draw on the service line or supply to the home. Untreated the tank 10 for treatment in the manner described above for service operation.

The service diaphragm valve 55, the by-pass diaphragm valve 56 and the drain diaphragm valve 57, are each provided with a flexible diaphragm 86 the periphery of which forms a gasket for the hollow or channelled caps or covers 71, 64 and 65 for these valves, with the caps or covers each secured in operative position by bolts orattaching means 87. To each diaphragm 86 is aixed a retainer ring 88 and a rubber or resilient valve member 89 byv means of a rivet or the like 91. A retainer ring` 92 is also secured to the rear face of the diaphragm 86 of the valves 55 and 56 to receive a compression spring 74 to guide and stabilize the motion of these diaphragnr.-

These springs are relatively light and keep these valves, diaphragms from fluttering.

The educator-assembly 77 is bodily'removable when.V

the cap or cover 49 is removed from the valve body 38. When assembled the educator is sealed withinthe bore of the valve housing or casting by means of spaced O-ringsv93. So that diierent sizes of nozzles 79 may be employed, the nozzle Vis, threaded into and removable from the eductor housing for quick assembly, detachment and replacement. The details of the eductor assembly are more clearly disclosed in FIG. 3. proper eliiciency for different pressure ranges of the water 1 flowing therethrough.

, In the conduit or tubing 61 is provided a ow restrictor or iiow restricting washer 94 which controls and limits the ow therethrough of waste Water under control of the solenoid valve 58 and its core 60 over a wide pressure range` (FIG. 4).

A ow restrictor 94a is shown provided in the brauch line 62 of the pilot line 61 where it enters the cover 64 and communicates with the diaphragm chamber 66, and a similar flow restrictor 94a is provided in the pilot line 68iwhere it enters the cover 71 to communicate with the diaphragm chamber 69. The pilot line 68 supplies hy:

draulic uidfrorn the passageway 52 to one side of thev diaphragm 86 of the valve 55 for closing this valve and its restrictor 94a prevents rapid pressure changes from occurring at the opposite sides of the diaphragm .thus

preventing too rapid closing and thumping of the valve. The same is true of the restrictor 94al in the branch 62 of the pilot line 61 supplying ,fluid pressure tothe chamber 66 at one side of the diaphragm 86 of the by-pass As shown in FIG. 3, the check valve 78is preferably formed as part of the flange gasket 95 for sealing the cap orcover 49.

` As kmore clearly disclosed in FIG. 3, Vthe core 60 ofk This permits i the solenoid 58-is spring-biased by a compression spring 96 to cause the reduced end 60a ofthe core to close the port 97' communicating with the drain conduit or vent line '73 when deenergized during service operation, and to open this port when energized by the timer at a predetermined time period. The drain or ventlinev 73 is shown'connected withthe drain port 85.

A spring 74a spring-biases the drain diaphragm valve 57 to'open position and prevents this valve from closing due to back pressure in the chamber 67 Aand communieating pilot line 70 which in turn communicates with the vent line 73.

An alternate construction of the pilot solenoid valve 58 and ofthe pilot or vent tubing 61, 62, 63 and 7d is disclosed in FIG. 5. In this form, the conduit or tubing 61a rand branch conduits 62.a and 6?a are connected in the manner shown in FIG. 4 with the branches 62EL and 63a connected to the caps or covers 64 and 65, but in this alternate arrangement there is employed in place of the solenoid valve 58 a 3-way solenoid valve 98 that completely eliminates waste of water through the orifice 59 from the chamber 42 when the valve assembly is in position for regeneration.

This solenoid valve 98 comprises a core 99 shown diagrammatically in FIG. 5 in an operative position in which one end of the core seats and closes passage from the tube 615L at the port 101. In this position of the core 99, a port 102 communicating with a drain tube 103 is maintainedopen to drain and Water from tubes 62a and 63a' is reduced to substantially atmospheric pressure causing a reduction in pressure in the valve chambers 66 and 67 whereupon the by-pass diaphragm valve 56 and the drain diaphragm Valve 57 open in the manner described with respect to the functioning of solenoid valve 58. When the timer 72 which is electrically connected to the solenoid'in the same manner as solenoid 58 (FIG. 4) energizes `thesolenoid, the other end of thecore 99 seats and closes the port 102 and passage to the `drain line or tube 103. This opens the port 101 to line pressure from the tubing 61a, whereupon the Water pressure transmitted through the vtubes 62a and 63a .to the chambers- 66 and 67 causes a relatively high pressure behind the diaphragm valves 56 and 57 and closes these valves.

Although FIGS. 3, 4 and 5v show electrically operated valves, solenoid Valve 58 (FIGS. 3 and 4) may be replaced with a manual valve for opening and closing the port 97, and a Z-waymanual Valve maybe substituted for the 3-way solenoid valve 98 (FIG. 5) for opening and closing the ports 101y and 102.

Having thus disclosed the invention, we claim:

1. A directional valve unit for controlling the direction and ow of liquid therethough, comprising a valve body divided into plural chambers, aninlet in said valve body leading to the rst of said chambers, rst and second spaced outlets, said first outlet communicating with said'iirst chamber and said second outlet communicati-11g with' a second chamber, a service outlet communieating withsaidsecond chamber, a by-pass leading from the inlet to said second chamber, a regenerant supply port communicating with said second chamber, a drain portl communicating with said first chamber, three hydraulioally-lactuated diaphragm valves in said valve body' comprising .a normally open service diaphragmfvalve in said first chamber forv controlling entry of liquid into said irst chamber from said inlet, a normally closed bypass diaphragm lvalve in said second chamber for controlling iiow of liquid through said by-pass to said second chamber, and av normally closed drain diaphragm valve communicating. with said first chamber for controlling the flow of liquid from said irst chamber to said drain port, an eductor in said second chamber, a central passage in said eductor leading from the second chamber to the second outlet and communicating with vsaid regenerant supply port, a pilot line communicating with the liquid source and leading to la vent line, a valve controlling iiow in said pilot line, and means initiated by operation of said last mentioned valve for closing the service diaphragm valve and opening said by-pass anddrain diaphragm valves to reverse the vflow of liquid' l through the valve by establishing liquid ow from said inlet through said byepass, said` secondi chamber and. said.

central passagev of. the eductor tothe secondfoutlet.

2. A directional valve unit as set forth in claim 1,` in which the means initiating movement of said diaphragm valves includes pressure conduits extending fromi the pilot line to the rear ofV they by-pass and drain diaphragm valves for hydraulically actuatingv said valves, said ow controlling valve being solenoid actuated.

3; A directional valve unit asset forth in claimflaiuV which said pilot line communicates withY said by-pass,

strictor in the pilot linecontrolling the liquid in the pilot line over the entire pressure range.

4. A directional valve unit as set forth in' claim 1, in which the means to initiate movement of said diaphragm valves includes'iirst and second pressure conduits extending from said pilot line to the rear of saidbypass and drain diaphragm` valveswhich are subjected to line pressure to retain said valvestnormallyclosed, anda third pressure conduit extending between said second chamber and the rear ofsaid service diaphragmy valve so that when liquid is removedfrom rthe second chamber i causing a'drop in pressure insaid chamber and in said third pressure conduit during-normal liquid how, theservice diaphragm valve opensunder line pressure exerted on its faceto allow passage oi liquid' from the inlet toiv said first outlet.

5. A directional valve unit for controlling the direction 4and iiow of1liquid'therethrough, comprising a valvev body having plural chambers and a passage connecting saidv chambers, Ian inlet communicatingwith said passage, first and second spaced outletsin-said valve body, said. iirstoutlet communicating with a tirstrchamber and said sec.-

ond outletA communicatingv with a second chamber, a

service outlet communicating with thevseconid chamber, said passage having a by-passfrom said inlet to: the second chamber, a regenerant' supply port communicating v with said second chamber, a drain port communicating with said first chamber, three hydraulicallyeactuatedv diaphragm valvesr in-saidvalve body comprisingra service diaphragm valve in said'` first chamber for control-lingv entry of liquid into said iirst chamber from said passage.y and opening when liquid iswithdrawn from said .second chamber during normal liow, a normally closed lay-passv diaphragmvalve insaid second-chamber for controlling. the passage of liquid through said by-pass lfrom said.

inlet to saidsecond chamber, `and a normally closed drainy diaphragm valve in saidi first chamber, pressure conduits communicating with said passage and carrying'T liquid to the one side of the by-pass and drain diaphragm valves4 not exposed to the liquid passing through said valvechambers, and ar pilot valve for thev pressure confy duits and leadingV to a vent line which whenk opened 'allows liquid in said` pressure conduitsA to pass to` the vent line andY relieves the liquid pressure at` saidone side of the by-pass and diaphragm valvesallowingk said diaphragm valves to 'open' under liquid pressure m said valve chambersand reverse the liquid ilovv.-

6. A directional valveunit 'as 'set forth inl claim 5,'in" which the by-pass communicates with r the service outlet in the second valve chamber to supplyliquid tosaid outlet when the ow of liquid'is reversed;

7. A directional valve unit as set forthin claim 5, 1n

which's'aid pilot valveis electrically actuated-a pressurec 9 conduit communicating between said second chamber and the side of the service diaphragm valve opposite to that exposed to the liquid in the first chamber, so that when the by-pass diaphragm valve is opened, liquid flows under line pressure into said second chamber and into said last mentioned pressure conduit to retain said service diaphragm valve closed.

8. A directional valve unit as set vforth in claim 5, in which each of said diaphragm valves has a cover providing a pressure chamber at the rear of its diaphragm communicating with said respective pressure conduits for supplying hydraulic pressure to said pressure chambers.L

9. A directional valve unit as set forth in claim 5, in which a pilot line extends from said by-pass and cornmunicates with the pilot valve at the junction of the pressure conduits communicating with the by-pass and drain diaphragm valves and the vent line, said pilot valve being a 3-way solenoid valve so that when said valve is in a rst position it closes passage to said vent line and the pilot line communicates with the pressure conduits, and when said pilot valve is in a second position the pressure conduits communicate with said vent line and the pilot line is closed.

10. A directional Valve unit for controllingy and directing different ows of liquid therethrough, comprising a valve body having internalv valve chambers, an inlet and a rst outlet communicating with one of said chambers, a second outlet spaced from said rst outlet and a service outlet communicating with a second of said chambers, a by-pass communicating with said inlet and leading to the second chamber, a drain port communicating with said tirst chamber for discharge during reverse flow between said rst and second spaced outlets, a valve mechanism in said valve body comprising three hydraulically-actuated diaphragm Valves, the first diaphragm valve being located in said iirst chamber for controlling entry of liquid from said inlet during normal flow through 'said valve body, a normally closed second diaphragm valve in said second chamber for controlling ilow of liquid through said by-pass to said second chamber, and la normally closed third diaphragm valve in said rst chamber controlling flow of liquid from said rst chamber to said 10 Y o drain port, pressure conduits communicating between said by-pass and said second and third diaphragm valves, a normally closed pilot valve in said pressure conduits, a third pressure conduit communicating between said second chamber and said first diaphragm valve permitting the latter valve to open when the pressure is reduced in said second chamber duringnormal liquid flow to said service outlet, said last mentioned pressure conduit being subjected to line pressure to retain said rst diaphragm valve closed when the second diaphragm valve is opened due to opening of said pilot Valve.

11. A directional valve unit as set forth in claim l0, in which each of said hydraulically-actuated diaphragm valves is located in an outer opening of said valve body, a recessed cover for each of said openings for enclosing its valve and each cover having a duct carrying hydraulic iluid from its respective pressure conduit into the recess of its cover and to the Arear of its diaphragm for hydraulically closing its valve.

12. A directional valve unit as set forth in claim l0, in which a regenerant supply port in said valve body communicates with said second chamber, parallel passages between the second outlet and said second chamber, a check valve in one of said passages permitting tlow only from the second outlet to the second chamber, and an eductor in the second passage with the regenerant supply port entering the eductor at a point intermediate the ends thereof.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,504,816 De Ville Apr. 18, 1950 2,596,822 Pick May 13, 1952 2,670,328 Webb Feb. 23, 1954 2,717,002 i Lucien Sept. 6, 1955 2,744,867 Webb May 8, 1956 2,800,143 Keller July 23, 1957 2,825,363 Bird Mar. 4, 1958 2,869,725 Staats Jan. 20, 1959 2,880,872 Albertson l Apr. 7, 1959 .2,906,281 Pillotte Sept. 29, 1959 

